On August 26, 2026, construction officially broke ground on the Heihe–Daqing natural gas pipeline in Sunwu County, Heilongjiang Province – a key project under the 15th Five Year Plan for National Oil and Gas Development. Stretching 578.3 kilometres, this energy artery traverses 4 cities and 10 counties/districts (Heihe, Qiqihar, Suihua and Daqing), with a design pressure of 12 MPa. Once commissioned, it will operate in parallel with the existing "North Gas South" corridor, creating a dual channel system that boosts annual transmission capacity from 38 billion to 48 billion cubic metres. 

The project is being built to the highest intelligent and standardised specifications. It adopts 18 metre extended length pipes, reducing the number of girth welds by approximately 30%, while over 96% of the large diameter pipeline welding will be automated. All girth welds are subject to a "double 100%" inspection regime combining full automatic ultrasonic testing and digital radiography. Such stringent automation standards impose extreme demands on the reliability, stability and environmental resilience of welding equipment. 

Notably, Xionggu’s self developed pipe automatic welding machines have been selected for onsite operations in this national megaproject. As a high tech enterprise specialising in pipeline welding solutions, Xionggu has previously supplied equipment for China’s landmark projects, including the West-East Gas Pipeline, Sichuan-East Gas Transmission, China-Myanmar Pipeline, and the China-Russia Eastern Route. In those comparable largescale undertakings, Xionggu welders have demonstrated superior performance and broad temperature adaptability – reliably operating under the harsh coldvweather conditions typical of Northeast China. 

Xionggu considers it a great honour to provide welding equipment for a project enshrined in the national 15th Five Year Plan. In building this energy lifeline – vital to both national energy security and the full revitalisation of Northeast China – the Xionggu team takes immense pride in contributing its technology and products. Looking ahead, Xionggu remains committed to pioneering innovations in intelligent pipeline welding, delivering even more robust equipment support for the nation’s energy infrastructure development.